💎 More Spring Please (Issue #24)
PLUS: Today's I-75 Ramp Closure
Max Carone
February 15, 2024
Good Morning,
And welcome to another issue of Miami Valley Memo. Every week, we share events, live shows, and news curated for the Miami Valley.
I don’t know about you, but last weekend sure was a nice preview of spring weather, and it left us wanting more. Unfortunately, it looks like we’ll have a cold snap this weekend, but more relatively warm weather will be back later next week.
Before we dive into today’s issue, we wanted to remind you that next Tuesday, February 20th, is the last day to either register to vote or update your voter registration in Ohio before the March 19th Primary Election.
You can learn more about how to update your registration or register to vote online here.
Now that we’ve done our civic duty, here’s what we’ll be covering today:
Upcoming events from garden shows to drone races
This weekend’s live shows
Dayton’s record 2023 economic growth
Ramp closure on I-75 and lane closures on US-35
Let’s get to it!
— Max
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⚡ WEEKEND WEATHER
Friday
23° 🌡️ 34° | ❄️ | ☔ 45% | 💨 7 mph
Saturday
20° 🌡️ 27° | ☀️ | ☔ 0% | 💨 14 mph
Sunday
25° 🌡️ 43° | ☀️ | ☔ 0% | 💨 13 mph
📅 EVENTS
💐 Miami County Home & Garden Show
📅 Friday: 2 - 4 pm | Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm | Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm
📍 Hobart Arena, Troy
💰 Free
Get ready for spring and discover the latest in home improvement this weekend in Troy. From breathtaking landscapes to kitchen renovations, over 90 specialists will offer inspiration and guidance for your spring projects.
Enjoy food vendors, direct sales, daily prizes, and expert demos. Whether you're looking to do some upgrades or get ideas, they'll have you covered. Learn more.
🦖 Dinosaurs In Motion (Opening Weekend)
📅 Saturday & Sunday: 9 am - 5 pm
📍 Air Force Museum, Fairborn
💰 Free
Marvel at 14 life-size metal dinosaur sculptures each crafted from recycled materials and inspired by real fossils. And unlike most exhibits, touching these displays isn't just allowed, it's encouraged!
Perfect for all ages, this exhibit uniquely blends creativity and education. After this opening weekend, the exhibit will stay open daily through May 13th. Learn more.
🤖 TechFest 2024
📅 Saturday: 10 am - 6 pm | Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm
📍 Sinclair Building 12, Downtown Dayton
💰 Free
Explore STEM at TechFest! This free event features 90+ exhibitors on robotics, engineering, drones, and more. Perfect for tech enthusiasts of all sizes and experience levels.
Since starting in 2003, TechFest has become the biggest STEM event in Ohio. It's made possible by the nonprofit Affiliate Societies Council of Dayton, and their dedicated volunteers. Learn more.
🪴🍺 Plants and Beer
📅 Saturday: 11 am
📍 Loose Ends Brewing, Centerville
💰 Free
Greenery meets the brewery this weekend at Loose Ends Brewing! Browse through 13 vendors showcasing a wide range of houseplants, plant accessories, and décor.
Learn plant-care tips and enter the rare plant raffle (winners announced in April). Buy and enjoy Loose Ends' finest beers, cocktails, and light appetizers. This free event is perfect for plant enthusiasts and beer fans alike. Learn more.
🥟 Pierogi Workshop
📅 Wed, Feb 21st: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
📍 Hidden Valley Orchard, Lebanon
💰 $80
Want to add making pierogies to your cooking repertoire? Learn how to make these delicious-filled dumplings with expert guidance at HVO. In this class, you'll make three varieties: potato and cheese, potato and sauerkraut, and braised beef and potato.
Enjoy expertly prepared versions alongside fellow cooking enthusiasts. Arrive hungry and ready for fun; leave satisfied with a family-sized meal to enjoy later. Get your tickets here.
🎪 Renaissance Festival Pub Sing
📅 Sat, Feb 24th: 8:30 pm
📍 Dublin Pub, Downtown Dayton
💰 Free
Step back in time for a night with the Ohio Renaissance Festival's cast and crew. Revel in an evening filled with songs, laughter, and surprises from your beloved performers.
Space fills up quickly, turning the venue into standing-room-only, so arrive early to secure your spot. Perfect for fans of the festival or anyone looking for a unique night out. Learn more.
🍹 Battle of the Bartenders
📅 Wed, Feb 28th: 6:30 pm
📍 The Steam Plant, Downtown Dayton
💰 Advance: $55 | Day Of: $65 | VIP: $75
Watch local bartenders face off to see who can craft the best cocktails with Buckeye Vodka (the event's sponsor). See last year's champion, Thomas from Wheat Penny, defend his title against tough competition like the People's Choice winner Nicole from Smith's Boathouse.
Regular tickets include 5 drinks, food from each restaurant, and 1 voting chip. VIP tickets get you double the drinks and votes. We expect this event to sell out (as it did last year), so claim your tickets today if this is a showdown you'd love to see.
🎮 Micro Drone Race
📅 Fri, Mar 1st - Sun, Mar 3rd: 8 am
📍 Air Force Museum, Fairborn
💰 Pilot Entry: $50 | Free for spectators
Witness 64 pilots zip micro drones through an LED course around historic planes at the Air Force Museum. The contest spans Friday and Saturday, leading to Sunday's finals.
The top 16 enter the Pro Class, while ranks 17-32 compete in the Sport Class, offering everyone a shot at glory. The top 8 finishers in the Pro Class will win cash prizes, and the top 4 of both classes will get trophies.
Looking to compete? There's still time to register and enter. Spectating will be free and open to the public. Learn more and see the schedule here.
🍸 Distillery Tour & Cocktail Class (Tequila)
📅 Sat, Mar 2nd: 3 pm
📍 Dayton Barrel Works, Downtown Dayton
💰 $30
Learn the art of crafting cocktails with Barrel Work’s mixologists and get an exclusive tour of their distillery. The tour and the cocktail class can be bought separately, but why settle for a single when you could have a double?
The class is centered around tequila. We're featuring this early because these events often sell out. So if you're a tequila person, be sure to get your tickets while you can.
Events marked with an asterisk (*) in the “featured” section have been sponsored by our advertising or affiliate partners. Have an event you’d like to promote? Reply and let us know!
🎶 LIVE MUSIC
Friday
Riverfolk | Jayne's On Main | 7pm | Free
Jukebox Apocalypse | Bock Family Brewing | 7pm | Free
Dayton Salsa Project | Hidden Gem Music Club | 8pm | $10
Donna Kennedy Band | Phone Booth Lounge | 8pm | Free
Ace Slite, Marz Hall, Some Kind of Nightmare, Better Anyway | Blind Bob's | 8pm | $10
Zep Tepi | The Brick Tap & Tavern | 8:30pm | Free
Southern Savior Band | Good Time Charlie's | 8:30pm | Free
Terrapin Moon Covers The Grateful Dead | Yellow Cab Tavern | 9pm | Advance: $12, Doors: $15
Rocko and Pat Acoustic | Courtyard Lounge | 9pm | Free
Saturday
Dayton Blues Society Youth Showcase | Phone Booth Lounge | 6pm | Free
Tony Joseph | Bock Family Brewing | 7pm | Free
Gerlach & Clemons | Jayne's On Main | 7:30pm | Free
Flashback | Hidden Gem Music Club | 8pm | $5
Blanche Robinson, Truhvaun, Trey Posey, DND, Jeri Daithatwin, Melina Marie, Bookz | Blind Bob's | 8pm | $10
Vinyl Vultures | The Brick Tap & Tavern | 8:30pm | Free
Zac Pitts, Too Pretty, Knavery | Yellow Cab Tavern | 9pm | Advance: $9, Doors: $12
Joe Clark | Good Time Charlie's | 9pm | Free
Premonition | Courtyard Lounge | 9pm | $5
Sunday
Sunday Funday Blues | Phone Booth Lounge | 3pm | Free
Dayton Jazz Orchestra | Hidden Gem Music Club | 7pm | $10
Bone House + JOAN SMITH & the JANE DOES | Blind Bob's | 8pm | $10
🎭️ LIVE THEATRE
Friday
Swan Lake | Schuster Center | 7:30pm | $28+
Guys and Dolls | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 7:30pm | $70+
Saturday
Swan Lake | Schuster Center | 7:30pm | $28+
In Modern Moves | Victoria Theatre | 7:30pm | $15+
Guys and Dolls | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 7:30pm | $70+
Sunday
Swan Lake | Schuster Center | 2:30pm | $28+
In Modern Moves | Victoria Theatre | 4pm | $15+
Guys and Dolls | La Comedia Dinner Theatre | 7:30pm | $70+
😂 LIVE COMEDY
Friday
Mark Gregory | Dayton Funny Bone | 7:30pm | $25
Hank Denson | Wileys Comedy Club | 8pm | $20
Saturday
Mark Gregory | Dayton Funny Bone | 7pm & 9:30pm | $25
Hank Denson | Wileys Comedy Club | 7:15pm & 9:30pm | $20
🗞️ LOCAL NEWS
🚀 Dayton’s Continued Economic Growth
Last year, the Dayton area set a new record for increasing total payroll while also adding 5,200 new jobs. This was after 2021 and 2022 set growth records themselves.
It looks like this growth should continue through 2024 according to Jeff Hoagland. Hoagland is the president of the Dayton Development Coalition (DDC), a non-profit economic development organization that serves the Miami Valley.
What's driving the growth? Investment across key industries like aerospace, health care, and manufacturing. This is coupled with efforts to further digitalize both private and public organizations.
Who's driving the growth? Both existing and new companies (like Joby Aviation), our great local universities, and Wright-Patt Air Force base.
More jobs and higher payroll means more money in our community and more people to spend it. Assuming that money stays in our community, the stronger our local economy gets. [Dayton Business Journal]
🚧 Ramp And Lane Closures This Week
I-75 Ramp Closure: Today, Feb 15th, the northbound I-75 ramp to US-40 will be shut down from 7 am to 7 pm. If you need to get around it, you'll be directed to go from northbound I-75 to Northwoods Boulevard, then onto southbound I-75 to reach US-40.
US-35 Lane Closures: Starting last night, US-35 will have overnight closures going both ways between Smithville Rd and Spinning Rd. These closures will be between 8 pm and 6 am through Friday, Feb 16th. Expect slower traffic if you're driving through there during those times. [WDTN]
🙏 THANKS!
That’s all for today. Thank you for reading this week’s memo!
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Hope you have a great weekend, and we look forward to seeing you next Thursday!
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Disclosure: Some of the events and other links featured in this newsletter may be sponsored by our advertising partners, or affiliate links where we may earn a small commission should you sign up or purchase through them. Any sponsored or affiliate links will be clearly indicated with an asterisk (*) or a disclosure that the section is sponsored by a specific partner.